PRACTICE: The story behind Allen Iverson's press conference

[@DarkChocolate325]

I'm SO happy they reposted this entire press conference for people to see because so many haven't. They cut it down to just that "practice" clip for entertainment purposes and that alone altered so many people's perception of him. Thank you for reposting this IN ITS ENTIRE CONTEXT. Listen to what he says, it's actually heartbreaking what he was going through as a human being. Now a lot of people will have the chance to view him from a different perspective, if they want to.

[@mosely25]

Why i hate the media. Sometimes you just need to rock and let things play out on both sides.

[@mikeblaze7424]

People like to make stuff up from a 1% clip of an interview. Iverson even said that he gotta be a bad mfer to be that good without practice

[@dravidianking1298]

@@mosely25 I only saw the original clip without context and I actually agreed with him lol

[@mikepatterson1510]

I had never seen the whole interview until yesterday, and being 42 I have made fun of this for a long time. I want to apologize to Allen Iverson for never caring enough to listen, and apology for not supporting you like everybody should have. These are the moments that we all need to learn from.

[@saintnick6329]

The smallest man in the room with the biggest impact to hip hop/basketball culture 🎯

[@BijinMCMXC]

When he sat there and said he was hurting over the loss of his best friend. That he was in pain. And that reporter was just like “yeah, tell us about your practice habits, though” that did it for me.

[@cameronmincey8298]

It's crazy how ESPN dropped this now like they weren't the same ones pushing the practice perspective years ago

[@chrisherrera644]

Exactly 💯

[@Hooderaw]

You do realize they have different reporters with different opinions right? Scoop didn't work for espn when this happened. I believe he was still at SLAM magazine.

[@AJAYATAYEE]

We called ourselves out for that, a ESPN clip in the montage of different times people used practice.

[@violetedge83]

This man was grieving and no one cared. I feel like this is an example of why some black men are not vulnerable.

[@peedub0322]

I think you meant don't show their vulnerability? If so, I agree. Nothing worse than showing your emotions and it being cast aside or ignored

[@freeguy3751]

@@peedub0322 yeah it's amazing how that all went down. So un-compassionate. Iverson was baring his soul and they didn't seem to care at all

[@kevinc8955]

Black men are not vulnerable because most of their dads bailed, so they become a caricature version of a man. Fake hard, don’t show emotion, settle everything with violence, don’t show love for your women or anything at all. They never learned how to actually be a man from a man. They learned from other fatherless boys around them.

[@aceofknaves]

Iverson was going through a lot at the time of this press conference. With that said, Iverson was right to question why the media was asking so much about something as trivial as practice. I've never understood why the media makes such a big deal about practice. If a guy misses practice, especially if he's a star player, the media makes a big deal about it, and it's ridiculous to do so.

[@dravidianking1298]

idk how people were against him for this I saw the original clip with no context and I agreed with him

[@adamdipasquale8702]

That’s the Philly media for you man. Blue collar, and they were huge nitpickers especially in the 90s-2000s with an old school coach.

[@Hooderaw]

The media only made it a big deal cause brown did. Iverson went to practice but sat out. As a sixer's fan I didn't mind cause he always played 40 plus minutes and always played the games. When he got injured and they said he would be out for 4-6 weeks he was back after 2 games. He gave his body for the game.

[@statixfear]

THIS is why this man will always have my respect. No matter what was going on in his life outside of basketball, he still gave the sport, the organization, his teammates, his all... his everything. Win or lose, he just calls it as it is... no excuses, no BS. No talk about being a "martyr", fighting for the oppression of vaccines, or even hiding behind purported mental health issues... just show up to work, give it your 110%, collect your paycheck, go home to your family and call it a day. A.I. aside, we also see here the media trying to dig for whatever narrative they want to run with for the headlines. It's been like that then, and it still is to this day.

[@chrisherrera644]

Great perspective

[@seijisawamura5415]

If you know the whole story of how the media is treating Iverson at that time, then you will understand why talked like that. The media and everybody else just misunderstood and blowing it out of proportion as always. This was the time when the media is attacking Iverson’s character and he took it like a champ. AI is the real definition of pure swag.

[@crillz9660]

my all-time favorite player ever, no one will ever take that spot from him 💯

[@MannyMensah94]

I appreciate AI honesty. He been through alot during this time. Recently lost his best friend. Love you AI 🤴🏿✊🏿🏀

[@TheComicBookLowdown]

I remember a few years ago when I first got the full story around the “Practice” press conference and it disappoints me that to this day people still reference it as a joke when the man made an incredible point and just laid out all his vulnerabilities for the world to see. And the one thing people took from that is “AI doesn’t like to practice”. What??

[@md.mohaiminulislam9618]

Whatever he was doing, it didn't suit well with the coach. The media caught onto it and painted their narrative. Now every star had their style, ai's attitude towards practice was not what they expected.

[@mosely25]

Comment i was looking for

[@BijinMCMXC]

Yeah even more disappointing to me especially is when other nba players, his peers do it though.

[@eriklarson9137]

That is all I still take from it. Lol.

[@chaz200711]

I never mocked the “practice” thing because I remember watching this and I could only imagine what he was feeling like. Yet, the media didn’t care. They acted like he was supposed to be superhuman with no emotions.

[@chiefxx8259]

Today, they'd lose their minds ! Players like Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Chris Paul, Kyrie and others not only miss practice ? They miss multiple games, or the whole season ! With a sprained toe.

[@andrexavier2437]

He was in a room full of people who judged him before he sat in that chair. He told them a story of a man in pain and all they saw was an ungrateful black man…

[@archbyccb]

Scoop will always deliver the story behind the story. Excellent work and I'm glad the entire story is being told.

[@TheNocturnalLogician]

Well, his name *is* "Scoop", after all.

[@archbyccb]

@@TheNocturnalLogician true indeed!

[@classof2010president]

Salute A.I. and also it’s good to see Scoop Jackson.

[@Slenderirl]

espn is the only one who brings this up after like 20 years lol

[@neozeroluminatti7619]

That's why the answer Allen Iverson became of the influence I love to inspired in basketball

[@deansnipah1392]

AI was the type of player that earned big bucks, bought the big chains and flasy clothing, but his success never went to his head. He played every game throughout his career as if it were his last. His passion and energy/stamina was unmatched, even to this day. Players like Ben Simmons, Harden, Kyrie....please take notes

[@kevinc8955]

Never went to his head and yet refused to come off the bench in the later part of his career…ok. Is this revisionist history? He could play one way, and one way only.

[@Lycan683]

Earned and squandered..

[@royjohnson5913]

@@kevinc8955 aleast allen iverson did not take 1 year out of basketball like ben simmons. kyrie is the reason the nets season became a failure with him not playing. games. Imagine if allen iverson miss the amount of games like kyrie. Imagine if allen iverson miss 2 year of basketball and did gets a back injury for not playing baksetball. Imagine if allen had a center like embiied, kevim durant, or lebron james. Iverson unlike kyrie gave it his all in basketball and played through alot of injuries. Unlike ben simmons who is soft. Kyrie don't have the same passion for basketball like allen iverson

[@royjohnson5913]

@@kevinc8955 kyrie can only play ome way too and look at him. Still cannot carry a team to the finals without lebron. Rusell westbrook plaus the same way Anthony davis plays the same way that 2020 ring not me but by many is considered to be a asterisk. Alot of players play the same way in yhe nba and cam't afford to win a ring

[@ramseywilliams8843]

Scoop Jackson (the narrator) was on the AI Documentary as well and he recounted the murder happening around this time as well. I didn’t know about it till he said it and now it’s here again full circle. More to the surface than we knew. Love this.

[@jakobburns8880]

Arguably the most influential player of all time

[@PACNYY]

Iverson in my opinion is the 3rd best shooting guard of all-time. This man carried PHI on the his back on a nightly basis. He has more heart than ANY current superstar in the NBA right now. Give this man the love and respect he deserves 😤.

[@DeeboWRLD121]

I love AI and had he gotten a ring he would be there but D wade deserves to be the 3rd best

[@ArtisanWindchimes]

@@DeeboWRLD121 AI: hall of famer, top 75 all time, rookie of the year, 2001 MVP, 7 time All NBA, 4 time scoring champion, 3 time steals leader, 11 time NBA All Star, 2 time All Star game MVP, second highest playoff scoring average in league history, only rookie to ever score 40+ points 5 games in a row, took an average team to the finals and gave the Kobe/Shaq Lakers their only loss in their whole playoff run.

[@mrray7169]

@@ArtisanWindchimes he's not saying AI is trash. D Wade accomplished alot in his career also. Don't act he's Wade is some slouch

[@anhiirr]

i mean shaqs been swept in a finals magic/kareem twice....ai wiled his team from being swept the same way kobe did agianst DET.....some players would rather die than go belly up. Its the same reason i have so much respect for jerry west having no qualms playing elimination game after elimination game on enemy territorty/the garden never once giving up on his guys/team/fans. Even if he doesnt have all the HARDWARE of players with more....theres a lot to say about west and AI and their will to win and run with the guys they got and you never heard about AI calling his teammates bums or "peers" bums.

[@kevinc8955]

Not even top 5.

[@LEX-yd4if]

Iverson should have asked this question to all those who were questioning him "Which is more important, practicing for a game to win or to lose a loved one in death"? If all of the reporters had a heart then it would have been silence where you couldn't hear a pin drop and no more questions. The NBA is all about money, ratings and revenue and not about peoples personal issues or lives.

[@kevinc8955]

Uh yeah…superstar players today make $425k PER GAME. No sympathy. Do you job.

[@LEX-yd4if]

@@kevinc8955 Say that when someone you love dies

[@xvandross6135]

@@kevinc8955it doesn’t matter what the job is you retard if someone closes to you passes away i guarantee you would be missing work the next day

[@buddawrld6041]

That’s messed up for all that pain and hurt to be on display for the world to see and still go unnoticed just imagine how he really felt up there. Well you don’t have to he showed you in his eyes when he told the reporter I’m just like you.

[@freeguy3751]

It blows me away he wanted to stay up there and not leave.

[@thaknightowl5207]

I was a student at Temple University when this happened. I came home from class and saw this live (recorded it on my VCR too lol), unedited, from start to finish. It’s sad that it took 20 years for someone to dig deeper into this moment.

[@glenngriggs6445]

And they wonder why players don’t mess with the media

[@shawnd.dawkins006]

I am a Sixers fan, Iverson is my favorite player of all time, he is the reason I like basketball overall, the reason I like the Sixers. This practice rant will always be 💯 they will always run my dawg up with this. I wish my Sixers would have won that championship in 2001 man Iverson gave it everything he didn't have help. It was a lot to beat Shaq and Kobe. Then the Lakers had other key ballers on their team. Scoop Jackson did a good piece on Iverson. We like the Sixers because of Iverson i'm saying that for all Sixers fans. Larry Brown was one of my favorite coaches. I don't know if Iverson liked Larry Brown but yup though.

[@kevinc8955]

No help…just the #1 defense in the league that hid AIs defensive deficiencies. That defense allowed AI to shoot 39% from the field and the 76ers to still win games. Casual.

[@MHBatiment]

@@kevinc8955funny how the whole planet says that he carried the 2001 Sixers and yet you’re here trying to pretend he didn’t. So everybody is casuals or you’re just hating ? Stop calling people casuals just because you have a different (and unpopular) opinion

[@eduellery]

People focus so much on the comical aspect of the practice thing. I never saw it from this angle. That stuff hit me hard. AI was something man.

[@anhiirr]

he really was....i think of him and rodman and how if their peaks were in the height of this SOCIAL MEDIA/clout era....they would be on top/kings of this era and the clout chaser clowns of the game...the difference in pedigree between a d'lo and AI on court would be widely regarded and known ON COURT it would be obvious even to the casual fan....same to RODMAN banging with the likes of draymond green or a marcus smart XD. No disrespect to the players of this era...but us real fans can plainly see how much RODMAN AND AI would be flourishing....in more or less a byproduct of a "CULTURE" they were foundational in making status quo from their "efforts/endured bs" in their careers.

[@RoadtoGloryyyy]

Classic, never gets old.

[@freeguy3751]

Wow this is illuminating! This is a deep and complex issue. You could do a whole documentary movie about this press conference

[@thewisehorse]

I needed to see this. Thank you so much, I hope I can find my i3s those were fresh. Iverson too underrated.

[@johnpestano22]

The old sixers logo ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@johnharris4899]

Don't get me wrong but the Sixers should bring that old 76er star logo back... and the AI Sixer Uniforms

[@jomarigaa3300]

Not a game we talking about practice

[@lovestrong20]

Wow… he said all of that and it wasn’t even addressed… That was hard to watch …

[@chiefwakil]

Shows how people love to ignore other people’s pain. This hurt young black man fully ignored. Doesn’t just happen to us, but it happens to us a lot.

[@johnsmith_1942]

Yes, happens to millionaires whose work ethic is questiones, regardless of ethnicity.

[@chiefwakil]

@@johnsmith_1942 I’m not about to explain the obvious to someone who doesn’t want to acknowledge it. Anything can happen to anybody at any given time of course, goofy, we know that. But some people are targeted for certain things. Go find somethin important to do instead of floating Thru the comment section being a nuisance.

[@johnsmith_1942]

@@chiefwakil Sorry if I hurt your feelings. Didn't mean to. I feel for young Iverson and I'd feel empathy for anyone in his situation, regardless of race. All lives matter and it's clear Allen was misunderstood.

[@johnpestano22]

The infamous practice rant I love this AI 🐐❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@se3478]

They didn't emphasize maybe because they couldn't see themselves in him! It also seemed that the coach didn't either. Such a shame, he was grieving whilst trying to do this job and be there for his team at the same time!

[@dravidianking1298]

Moments like this show how far players rights have come. It wasn’t just Iverson they were treating all players like animals at a zoo smh

[@kevinc8955]

@@dravidianking1298 😂 Iverson was making $20 million dollars per year. 🤡

[@DamonDukes1987]

​@@kevinc8955and your point?

[@mikeblaze7424]

That’s why people should watch the whole interview

[@offthetrail636]

That’s why AI is my GOAT

[@Videogamelover58]

Can't believe this was 20 years old

[@mosely25]

They need to post this on TV. I thought people would of known this by now.

[@freeguy3751]

yeah they gotta put this at halftime of an NBA Finals game or something. Really start to shift the narrative back to the truth

[@ronnytaveras9431]

this needs to be longer.. dope...

[@zim1156]

Iverson and dawkins...the two greatest philly athletes that poured there souls on battlefield every time they suited up and we loved them for it win or lose.

[@tcgrant3267]

Still one of my favorite players

[@sujalgautam9761]

Not a game , Not a game , Not a game We talking about pratice

[@johnharris4899]

We talking bout PRACTICE

[@ice_333]

Hes my hero, man.

[@freeguy3751]

I have mixed feelings. On one hand, i have that feeling like you do, what he did was heroic. On the other hand, he was giving a middle finger to the establishment that feeds him. It's complicated.

[@milticket4146]

Favorite player all time!!!!

[@eilamlam]

"You gon' think about me when i'm gone..."

[@Dec4AllTimeAlways]

Dang, has it been 20 years? I remember seeing it when ESPN was still decent. Booyah! Derby Day is here. I'm increasing my profits on Epicenter and Zandon. By parlaying them with NBA bets, the odds are 10X or more.

[@ChrisJProductionz]

His best friend died that day, Bubba went through so much plus an early first round elimination…..

[@SupermanHopkins]

Best thing about social media existing these days? The media can't bury your words and cut them into a soundbite. AI would be a gem in today's sports world, because his wise words wouldn't be hidden behind a media apparatus designed to bury him.

[@marvinkorir]

never seen it from this angle.....

[@khaimcmillan9152]

“Not the Game.We talking about Practice” -Allen Iverson

[@Jackmc2112]

I live in Philly. I didn’t know he’d just lost his best friend. Very dumb question after he just said what he was going through.

[@warrenhelm]

They were brutally frank as he. They sidestepped and went for an escape at his expense. As all black athletes are treated with suspicion. Would they have asked a Larry Byrd about practice?

[@slim..reaper]

AI changed the game forever. SIXERS LEGEND

[@kung_ku_kinte5866]

Greatest press conference in NBA history

[@loveyourself3210]

My big brother just sent me this lmaooo man memories

[@suren126126126]

Great Great article this is! Good job to give the back ground to a viral video

[@tnoyce9632]

This is why I don't listen to the media. You have to do your own research or watch things thoroughly

[@ScottParisi]

AI, a man with his heart on his sleeve and a killer on the court.

[@goldenfishy88]

The realest

[@LFEFP]

Legendary

[@sirineuantonio1622]

Man I love AI he changed d way I played. He was so authentic but as humans we'll just listen what affects us, it was then is now and will be that way. Is almost impossible to be in someone else shoes....

[@wook1990]

Can't believe this was 20 years ago.

[@johnharris4899]

I still remember like it was last year

[@wook1990]

@@johnharris4899 I remember the loss of that Game 5 like it was last prior to this interview. That was an epic beatdown.

[@JDjade1]

For the career he's had, I wonder how many times the word "Practice" gets mentioned to him from then to now.

[@stargladiatorx]

This is for the kids who weren't there to see it for themselves.

[@commanderjoj6426]

To the dude who asked the follow up, I mean, I know you had a job to do, but read the room my guy.

[@geraldroccia6163]

I thank god everyday AI was a 76er and still is!!!!

[@SuperDave30]

Practice we talking about “PRACTICE”

[@CapersTV]

Wow, I never knew that part of the story. They had no compassion for AI

[@lookfeelbehealthy6320]

Only coaches should be asked about practices, not the players.

[@onlyone23km]

So Larry Brown sold him out, which led to this.

[@antnam4406]

The man is hurt and they completely dismissed it and just want to talk about the game. Bunch of puppet masters, they are not treating him like a human being, just play and forget about everything going on in your life.

[@Vino_Czar]

💯💯💯

[@Johenz]

They weren’t talking about the game, they were talking about practice

[@freeguy3751]

I get your point, but...he WAS missing practice lol. The media was awful that day to him though in how they went about it.

[@ramsesstafford4640]

Right this whole thing was a big shut up and dribble campaign from the sports media and the the word practice said repeatedly just gave the vultures ammunition. I like what Scoop Jackson did at the end.

[@betonblack3621]

I remember a J Dilla song which he used this audio. Great song

[@DuryeaHozay]

Klassiiiiiccccccccc🎉❤❤

[@MrNaturalSez]

Poor Larry Brown...

[@freeguy3751]

lol you kidding right? lol. Larry Brown is the biggest curmudgeon dictator coach other than Pop. There's a reason he didn't last long with teams.

[@DareonJohnson]

Larry Brown is the soul reason we went home with the bronze in 2004..f*ck dude

[@franklin5145]

The most importantly a.i was transparent what he said

[@jeffmore2549]

We all human. some better at things then others but we all human. until we figure that out. well good luck humans.

[@johnsmith_1942]

0:02 "we ain't here talkin' about practise". 0:07 "we talkin' about practise". Cocaine is a helluva drug.

[@BigBen1994]

People just don't care about your well being if you're rich

[@jamallaidley4718]

Classic 😎

[@ndiogouniang83]

Man Imma need to have a few words with Gary Payton

[@virgilbrickonmybrick989]

AI the GOAT in Philly. Media was mad he wasn’t white. Im from Philadelphia and watched every game and post interviews. Anybody want to argue different on how mad they were because he woke up great and black?!!’

[@chiefxx8259]

I don't think they were mad because he wasn't white 🤔 I think it was because he had the wealth, the freedom, the courage to speak up for himself, and the fans liked him a lot. He was entertaining, and he just happened to be black. If he was black, and remained quiet, then all is good. But he was black and spoke his peace. He's in the Hall Of Fame ! Not because of practice, or being black. He's in the Hall , because he was good and played hard. His stats and contribution to the culture of the game, speaks for itself.🏀

[@reginaldthornton8772]

I agreeing with all of that, but he didn't have to do the post press conference too if he felt that way about his best friend. And if he did, he didn't have to be so combative. Just give your best answer and leave. Your making it worse by the comments that you are making.

[@Jamaal_Eye_Ball]

This is media ladies and gentlemen. Media is surface level and often times racist to black athletes. Most of media was typically white-male dominant. During that time, there were writers and reporters who loved nothing more but to create narratives of the black male professional athlete. They've always painted this bold picture like they are not educated and thugs. No different from your "stereotypical black man" that's painted. A.I. tried to tell them he is human. This from professional all the way down to your local newspapers. It was worse in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. It was never hard to see. ESPN is to blame as well. But this what they do and have done for forever. Why as a black man does he always to try and explain to white men that he is human? It is because we were never depicted as such since the beginning of time and slavery.

[@johndomino6057]

This is why I don’t laugh when people joke about this press conference.

[@makedredd299]

Fat Burger Harden should signup to Allen Iverson’s PRACTICE camp. 🍔 ⛹🏽‍♂️ 🤸🏽‍♀️ 🏋🏾

[@johnharris4899]

Well then U are a hot dog 🌭

[@kane300g]

Now y’all want to show the whole practice interview espn is trash when this happened y’all killed AI for this

[@freeguy3751]

ESPN is trying to change their own narrative that they lack diversity, lack racial inclusion, and lack compassion.

[@cardough550]

😂😂😂 Legendary

[@d-blockthealchemist9855]

Wait....what we talking about again?!

[@shayneraymond4207]

AI - "we talkin bout practice " not da game practice ?? .... lol lol

[@ro.trucking]

Now nobody practices ‼️ he was before his time & he died for the cause , so to speak

[@antnam4406]

Those journalists act like white racists, when they hear about what black people are going through but dismiss it and still talk on irrelevant things that matters to them.

[@JohnSmith-nm4zd]

What are we talking about?

[@deandreray3500]

We talking bout practice not the game

[@steelpulse101]

These reports are jerks they don't care about people's feelings

[@freeguy3751]

Reporters just want information and quotes (which advance their career), they're pretty exploitative of people for that reason.

[@theonelast9933]

If he got another great player with him, we would not be talcking about Kobe bryant having 5 rings, it took him and Shaq to stop this dude from tacking off to be a multiple champion Period!! Have respect , he is the original , the others are just dress up copycat!!

[@freeguy3751]

Iverson was amazing, but he did not and would not be able to co-exist with another star in his prime. The front office knew this and just surrounded him with good role players.

[@Lycan683]

"Have your lovely life" & they did.. How about you AI? Ohhh!